This microcredential bundle is exclusive to Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) and combines two medication microcredentials:

1. Diabetes Medications: Insulin Therapy
2. Diabetes Medications: Glucose-Lowering Agents

Together, these courses are designed to strengthen your knowledge and skills in the pharmacological management of diabetes, with a strong emphasis on safe, effective and evidence-based practice.

The content is tailored for CDEs practising in all parts of Australia, including rural, remote and metropolitan settings, and is relevant to those working in clinics, hospitals, community settings and private practice.

Across the bundle, you will explore:

• Goals and principles of insulin therapy and diabetes medication management
• Types of insulin, insulin regimens, initiation and adjustment strategies
• Appropriate administration techniques for insulin therapy
• Principles of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) in diabetes care
• Classes of glucose-lowering agents (GLAs) and their pharmacological actions, including: biguanides, sulphonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
• Factors influencing the choice of oral and injectable diabetes medications in type 2 diabetes
• Potential interactions and adverse effects of insulin and GLAs
• Common barriers to insulin and medication use, and strategies to support adherence and promote QUM

Role and Scope of Practice

Participants are reminded of the importance of practising within their professional role and scope. As part of this bundle, you are encouraged to review the Role and Scope of Practice for Credentialled Diabetes Educators in Australia document.

Learning objectives

On completion of both microcredentials, you will be able to:

• Explain the goals of insulin therapy and diabetes medication management
• Identify types of insulin and GLAs and describe their pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties
• Describe insulin regimens, including initiation and adjustment strategies
• Apply QUM principles to ensure diabetes medications are used safely, effectively and appropriately in practice
• Identify factors influencing the choice of glucose-lowering therapy in type 2 diabetes
• Describe appropriate administration techniques for insulin and other diabetes medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy
• Recognise potential interactions and adverse effects associated with insulin and GLAs
• Identify common barriers to insulin and medication use and develop strategies to overcome these barriers

Course structure and duration

• Each microcredential is self-paced and fully online.
• Approximate time per microcredential: 2 hours
• Total recommended time for the bundle: 4 hours of learning content and activities

CPD accreditation

Each microcredential in this bundle has been accredited for:

• Each microcredential = 2 CPD points. Complete bundle = 4 CPD points of Category 1 CPD, applicable to an individual’s CPD plan upon successful completion of the relevant assessment.

Assessment and certification

• Insulin therapy microcredential: 12 multiple choice questions, pass mark ≥ 80%
• Glucose-lowering agents microcredential: 15 multiple choice questions, pass mark ≥ 80%
• On successful completion of each microcredential’s assessment, participants will receive a certificate and digital badge.

Competency standards

This bundle aligns with the ADEA competency standards: Domain 1, Category 1: Clinical practice/diabetes education/counselling.